Cylindrical brush



April 1951 H. B. WHITMAN 2,978,725

CYLINDRICAL BRUSH Filed May 20, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

Q a w N &

8 INVENTOR HENRY B. WHITMAN m By Iut (awmlb 0 9 u.

A TTORNEVS April 11, 1961 H, B, wHlTMAN 2,978,725

CYLINDRICAL BRUSH Filed May 20, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR l HE NR V 8. WHITMAN By fMQU lV/c m CYLINDRICAL BRUSH Henry B. Whitman, Windsor, Conn., assignor to The Fuller Brush Company, East Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Filed May 20, 1957, Ser. No. 660,417 9 Claims. (Cl. 15-183) This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending but now abandoned application for Multiple-Part Cylindrical Brush, Serial No. 584,394, filed May 11, 1956.

The invention relates to a cylindrical brush, ordinarily of comparatively large size, particularly adapted for use in machines for washing automobiles, busses, railway cars and the like. In a typical installation for washing automobiles, there are a number of successive line operations, at least one being performed by the washing machine and others being performed manually.

A brush of the type here involved includes a plurality of longitudinal circumaxially spaced brush strips, each comprising a rigid holder and a layer of fibers extending radially outwardly therefrom. The fibers of the strips are subject to wear during use and the brush strips must be removed and replaced rather frequently. It has been a common prior practice to detachably connect the brush strips with a central core or frame as disclosed for example in the Rowland Patent No. 2,754,531, dated July 17, 1956. After fiber wear as the result of washing, the brush strips are individually detached from the central core or frame and are discarded and replaced.

The individual detachment of replacement of a large number of brush strips is time-consuming and costly. It involves in any event the actual labor cost of detaching and replacing the strips, and it may also involve the heavy indirect costs or losses resulting from the shutdown of the washing machine and in fact of the entire line of operations for a substantial period of time.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a brush wherein the brush strips can be removed and rep-laced much more easily and quickly than has previously been possible. In accordance with the invention, the brush comprises a plurality of partly cylindrical units each including a plurality of longitudinal brush strips all rigidly connectedwith each other. The

said units, rather than individual brush strips, are detachable and replaceable. The time required for detaching and replacing perhaps-two units is obviously much less than that required for individually detaching and replacing perhaps eighteen separate brush strips.

Other and more specific objects of the invention are to provide various features of structure and arrangement which contribute to the attainment of the said general object.

The drawings show three embodiments of the invention and such embodiments will be described, but it will be understood that various changes may be made from the constructions disclosed, and that the drawings and description are not to be construed as defining or-limiting the scope of the invention, theclaims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

1 Of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an end view of a cylindrical brush embodying the invention, a supporting shaft for the brush being shown in section.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the parts shown iIfFigul. a i

States Patent f ice Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view through one brush strip.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of one partly cylindrical end plate and of one brush strip as shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary end view similar to a portion of Fig. 1, but showing an alternative connection between the brush strips and the end plate.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary end view showing another alternative connection between the brush stripsand the end plate, this view showing the parts in an'intermediate stage of assembly.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken along the line 77 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectionalview taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

A brush embodying the invention comprises a plurality of similar partly cylindrical brush units 10, 10 which serve when assembled with each other to provide a cylindrical brush. The number of partly cylindrical brush units is not narrowly limited, but two units are preferred and are shown, each of which is one-half of a cylinder or semicylindrical.

Each partly cylindrical brush unit 10 includes a plurality of longitudinal circumaxially spaced brush strips 12, 12. Each unit includes supporting means for engaging the brush strips and for holding them in fixed relationship to each other and at equal distances from a common axis. The means for engaging and holding the brush strips comprises two longitudinally spaced similar metallic end plate 14 and 14 The end plates have partly circular or uniformly arcuate peripheral edges and said plates are so shaped that they and other companion plates, in one or more other units, when assembled with each other form a complete circular outline. When the brush comprises two semicylindrical units as shown, there are two semicircular end plates 14 and 14 which are preferably identical in shape, but reversed as to position. The end plates 14 and 14* are preferably provided with semicircular openings for receiving hub means as hereinafter explained, and means are provided for connecting said end plates with each other and with the hub means. Preferably as hereinafter more fully described, the hub' means constitutes a portion of the connection between the end plates.

Each brush strip 12 comprises a rigid longitudinal fiber holder 16 and comprises a longitudinal layer of fibers 18 which extend from said holder in a generally radial direction. Means are provided for fixedly and rigidly connecting the end plates 14 and 14 of each unit with the holders 16 of all of the corresponding brush strips. Said holders 16 of each unit and the corresponding connecting means constitute the sole connection between the end plates when said unit is separated from the other units of the assembly and from said hub means.

Each brush strip 12 is or may be of conventional form and as shown inFig. 3 the fiber holder 16 thereof is a, channel member from-which the fibers lsloutwardly extend. The brush strip also'comprises a corefwire 20 at least partly within said channel member. The fibers 18 of said layer are folded around thecore wire and their end portions protrude from the channel member in gen erally forward or outward directions. The sides of the channel member 16 arepressed toward each other to firmly grip the fibers. Preferably and in accordance with customary practice, the channel members are shaped at their ends so as to be closed and so as to prevent the endwise escape of fibers therefrom. 1

The details of the means for connecting the end plates 14 and 14 with the holders 16 may be varied, but

- preferably saidend plates are provided with peripheral Patented Apr. 11, 1961 notches 'into which are fitted the rigid fiber holders or channel members 16, 16 of said brush strips 12, '12.

While each brush strip 12 may be of conventional form as stated, the side walls of the channel member 16 are preferably provided at their outer edges with opposite lateral extensions or flanges 21, 21. These flanges increase the mechanical strength of the brush strips so as to resist bending and twisting, and they are also useful for attaching the brush strips to the end plates as hereinafter explained.

The location and spacing of said notches in the end plates 14, 14 are such that the severai brush strips of the two brush units are equally spaced circurnaxially when said units are in assembled relationship as shown in Fig. 1. As shown, there are nine brush strips in each unit. Preferably the brush strips project longitudinally beyond the end plates to equal extents. The brush strips and the plates may be variously retained in proper relationship to each other, but when the channel members have flanges 21, 21 said flanges are utilized for connecting the brush strips with the end plates.

As clearly shown in Fig. 4, each end plate 14 or 14 is provided with a peripheral flange 22 interrupted by slots 23, 23. Each said plate 14 or 14 has notches 24, 24 which are in the radial portion thereof, said notches being in register with said slots 23, 23 in the flange and being of such size and shape as to fit the bodies of the channel members 16, 16. During assembly, relative longitudinal movement is effected between each end plate and the brush strips. During such movement each channel member 16 enters and fits the corresponding notch 24 and the corresponding slot 23, the flanges 21, 21 being in engagement with the outer face of the flange 22 as shown in Fig. 1. The flanges 21, 21 may be permanently connected with the flange 22 by spot welding. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the connecting means between the end plates and the holders of the longitudinal brush strips are carried solely by said end plates and independently of any other parts. Said plates are so spaced that they and said connecting means are near the ends of the brush strips.

The brush further comprises the before-mentioned hub means which preferably comprises two longitudinally spaced hubs 25, 25 each consisting of two similar halfportions 26, 26 The hubs serve to support the two brush units and to connect them with each other and they also serve to mount the entire brush on a shaft such as 28. The hubs are adjacent the openings in the end plates, and preferably said hubs are partly within the said openings. fEach hubportion has a semi-cylindrical opening for receiving and fitting said shaft 28. By means of a key 30, or if preferred two similar offset keys 30, 30, the hubs are connected with the shaft for rotation in unison. Each, hub portion preferably has a keyway 32 for receiving and fitting the corresponding key 30.

Each hub portion 26 is provided with two .opposite similar countersunk holes 34, 34 and each hub portion 26 is provided with two oppositesirnilar threaded holes 36, 36 positioned to register with'the holes 34, 34. Said holes 34, 34 and 36, 36 are adapted for receivingscrews 38, 38 which whenentered and tightened serve to hold thetwo portions of the hubs in proper relation with each other and in proper spaced "relationship along the shaft 28. v p

Each end plate 14 and 14 is provided with means for detachably connecting it with the hub means, and preferably the last said means serves to connect each end plate directly with the'lhub means independently of the end plate of each other unit. 'When the hubs are partly within the openings in "theend plates, said connecting means for each plate preferably comprises a plurality of similar ears "40, 40 whic'hiare integral "with the metal of the plate and are 'berit -to extend longitudi nally.-- The inner races or the earshre' located and spaced for engagement with the outer cylindrical faces of the hub'portions 26, 26 and preferably said cars are so located that their said inner faces are spaced inwardly from the edge of the semi-circular end wall opening so that the body of said end wall is spaced from the corresponding hub portion, the end wall engaging the hub only by means of said ears; There are preferably three equally spaced ears 40, 40 on each end plate. The ears are provided with holes 42, 42 positioned to register with threaded radial holes 44, 44 in the correspondinghub portion. The hubs are positioned on the shaft so that the holes 44, 44 of one hub will register with the holes 42, 42 in the ears on the end plate 14 and so that the holes 44, 44 of the other hub will register with the holes in the ears on the end plate 14 With said holes all in register as stated, screws 46, 46 are put in place to secure the brush units to the hubs and to thus indirectly secure the brush units to each other. The holes 42, 42 in the end plate ears and the holes '44, 44 in the hub portions are preferably so located that the main bodies of the end plates are about midway of the lengths of the respective hubs. Preferably the hub portions are provided with additional holes 48, 48 similar to the holes 44, .44 so that the hubs are symmetrical with resultant simplification of assembly.

'The cars 40, and the parts associated therewith constitute means for detachably connecting the end plates of the'brush units respectively with said hubs in such relationship that said units constitute a cylindrical brush. In the complete brush the two semicircular end plates 14, 14 of the two units may be regarded as collectively constituting one end plate of the brush. Similarly, the two semicircular end plates 14, 14 may be regarded as collectively constituting the other end plate of the brush.

' The end plates 14 and 14 which hold the brush strips to clamp thestrips in place. .1

are so simple and inexpensive that there is less cost in providing entirely new units than in attempting to replace the brush strips of old units- Fig. 5 shows an alternative connecting means between the end plates and they brush strips. .The construction is exactly as described in connection with Figs. 4 and 1, except that the flanges 21, 21 and 22 are connected otherwise than 'by spot welding. The flange of the end plate is:designated 22 and it differs from the flange 22 only bybeing provided with holes for screws 50, said holes being midway between the notches .in the flange. :Each .screw Silis-entered in a nut 52 at the inner face .of the flange 22 -andit engages a washer 54 which is vot 'such size as to partly overlie theadjacent flanges .21, .21 on two .diiferent brush strips. When the screws are tightened, the washers engage the strip flanges s-fFigs. 6,17 ands show another alternative connecting means between the end plates and the brush strips. Alternative end plates are provided which are ormay beexactly like the .end plates 14 and 14 as concerns connection with the hub but which have-no 'fiangessuch as 22. :Queend plate 56 is .shown and said plate has notches 58,.58 similar to the notches 24, 24, and adapted to receive and fitthe ;bodies of the channel members 16,16 of the brushstrips. Extending transversely from each notch 58 are two opposite notches 60, 60 so positioned and shaped as to receive the fianges21, 21 .of the corresponding channel member. The parts are assembled by relative longitudinal movement between the brush strips and the end plates, and Fig. 7:shows the parts in an'intermediate stage of assembly.

Preferably and as shown in'Fig. 7, the radial width;oi

the notches 6t), 60, at least at the inner open ends thereof, is slightly greater than the thickness of the flanges 21, 21. In order to provide a firm connection between the brush strips and the end plate 56, said end plate is engaged by a suitable tool at the positions 62, 62 so as to bend the metal adjacent said notches 60, 60 and to thereby close said notches and eflect firm pinching engagement between the metal of the end plate and that of the corresponding flanges 21, 21.

Preferably and as shown in Fig. 8, the flanges 21, 21 are bent after assembly by a suitable tool so as to provide two bulges 64 and 66 in each of said flanges, said bulges being located at opposite sides of the end plate. These bulges cooperate with said pinching engagement to prevent any relative longitudinal movement between the brush strips and the end plate.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a cylindrical brush assembly rotatable about a central longitudinal axis, the combination of a plurality of similar separable companion brush units so shaped that they form a cylindrical brush when they are assembled with each other, each of said brush units including: two similar transverse end plates which are formed of sheet metal and are longitudinally spaced and have uniformly arcuate peripheral edges, a plurality of longitudinal brush strips equally spaced along said peripheral edges of the end plates and each of them comprising a rigid holder and a layer of fibers held solely by said holder and extending radially outwardly therefrom, means carried solely by said end plates of each unit and independent of any other parts for rigidly and fixedly connecting said end plates with said holders near the ends of the latter so that said holders and said connecting means constitute the sole connection between the end plates when the brush unit is separated from the other brush units, and means for connecting the several end plates each independently of any other end plate to a rotatable central hub means in such manner that the arcuate peripheral edges of all of said end plates are concentric with said central axis and form complete circular outlines.

2. A brush unit adapted for combination with other similar units to constitute a cylindrical brush rotatable about a central longitudinal axis, said brush unit including: two similar transverse end plates which are formed of sheet metal and are longitudinally spaced and have uniformly arcuate peripheral edges, a plurality of longitudinal brush strips equally spaced along said peripheral edges of the end plates and each of them comprising a rigid holder and a layer of fibers held solely by said holder and extending radially outwardly therefrom, means carried solely by said end plates thereof and independent of any other parts for rigidly and fixedly connecting said end plates with said holders near the ends of the latter so that said holders and said connecting means constitute the sole connection between the end plates when the brush unit is separated from the other brush units, and means for connecting the several end plates each independently of any other end plate to a rotatable central hub means in' such manner that the arcuate peripheral edges of said end plates are concentrio with said central axis.

3. In a cylindrical brush assembly rotatable about a central longitudinal axis, the combination of two similar hubs adapted to be attached to acentral shaft in longitudinally spaced positions thereon, two similar separable companion brush units which are so shaped that they form a cylindrical brush when they are assembled with said hubs and with each other, each of said brush units including: two similar transverse end plates which are formed of sheet metal and are longitudinally spaced and have semicircular peripheries and semicircular openings concentric with said peripheries and fitting said hubs, a plurality of longitudinal brush strips equally spaced along said semicircular peripheriesof the end plates and each of which comprises a rigid holder and a layer of fibers held solely by said holder and extending radially outwardly therefrom, means carried solely by said end plates of each unit and independent of any other parts for rigidly and fixedly connecting said end plates with said holders near the ends of the latter so that said holders and said connecting means constitute the sole connection between the end plates when the brush unit is separated from the other brush units,"and means for connecting the several end plates each inde pendently of any other end plate to said hubs in such manner that the semicircular peripheral portions of the end plates of the two units are concentric with said central axis and form complete circular outlines.

4. A cylindrical brush assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein each of said hubs comprises two separable semicylindrical parts together with means for drawing said two parts toward each other for engagement with a shaft, and wherein the means for connecting the end plates of the units to said hubs are constructed and arranged to connect the end plates of each unit to a corresponding hub part independently of the other hub part.

5. A cylindrical brush assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein the means for connecting the end plates with the hub parts comprises longitudinally extending ears on said end plates which ears are at the edges of said openings in said end plates, and wherein the last said means also includes devices for detachably connecting said ears of the two end plates of all units respectively with the corresponding hubs.

6. In a cylindrical brush rotatable about a central longitudinal axis, the combination of a plurality of longitudinal brush strips at uniform distances from said axis and uniformly spaced circumaxially, each of which strips comprises a rigid channel member having flanges extending oppositely from the side walls thereof and each of which strips also comprises a layer of fibers extending radially outwardly from said channel member, two similar transverse longitudinally spaced end plates having uniformly arcuate peripheral edges concentric with said axis, said plates having openings therein with uniformly arcuate peripheral edges concentric with said axis and said end plates having circumaxially spaced notches therein which receive and fit the channel portions of the channel members of such brush strips and having additional notches which receive and fit the flanges on said channel members, two similar hubs adapted to be attached to a central shaft in longitudinally spaced positions thereon so as to be adjacent the partly circular end plate openings, and means for detachably connecting the end plates of the brush units respectively with said. hubs in such relationship that said units constitute a cylindrical brush.

7. A cylindrical brush as set forth in claim 6, wherein the flanges on said channel members are provided with bulges which are adjacent said end plates and which resist relative longitudinal movement between said channel members and said end plates.

8. In a cylindrical brush assembly rotatable about a central longitudinal axis, the combination of a plurality of similar separable companion brush units so shaped that they form a cylindrical brush when they are assembled with each other, each of which units includes two similar transverse end plates which are formed'of sheet material and are longitudinally spaced and have uniformly arcuate peripheral edges, each end plate of each unit having notches therein at uniform distances from said central axis and equally spaced .circumaxially and each end plate of each unit also having a peripheral flange which extends longitudinally and is provided with slots registering respectively with said notches, each of said units also including means for detachably connecting said end plates with a rotatable central hub means in such manner that the peripheries of all of said end plates furtherincluding a plurality of longitudinal brush strips which are equallyspaced circumaxially and eachof which comprises a rigid channel member having flanges extending oppositely from the side walls thereof and each of which brush strips also comprises a layer of fibers extend ing radially outwardly from said channel member, the channel members of all of said brush strips of each unit being entered respectively in said notches in said end plates and in said slots in said flanges, and each of said units additionally including means for connecting said flanges of said brush strips of said unit with the flanges on the corresponding end plates so that said channel members and said connecting means constitute the sole connection between said end plates when :the unit is separated from the other units and from said hub means.

9. A partly cylindrical brush unit adapted for combination with other similar units to constitute a cylindrical brush rotatable about a central longitudinal axis, which unit includes two similar transverse end plates which are formed of sheet material and are longitudinally spaced and have uniformly arcuate peripheral edges, each end plate having notches at uniform distances from said central axis and equally spaced circumaxially and each end plate also having a peripheral flange which extends longitudinally and is provided with slots registering respectively with said notches, said unit also including means for detachably connecting said end plates with ,a rotatable central hub means in such manner that the peripheries of all of said end plates are concentric with said central axis, said unit further including a plurality of longitudinal brush strips which are. equally spaced .circumaxially and each of which comprises a rigid channel member having flanges extending oppositely from the side walls thereof and each of which brush strips also comprises a layer of fibers extending radially outwardly ,from said channel member, the channel members of all of said strips being entered respectivelyflin said notches in said end plates and in said slots in said flanges, and said unit additionally including means for connecting said flanges of said brush strips with the flanges on said end plates so that said channel members and said connecting means constitute the sole connection between the corresponding end plates when the unit is separated from other units and from ,a hub means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Lombardi Oct. 23, 195.6 

